Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier firmly denied posting screenshots that appeared to show direct messages with Eric Trump, son of the president, in which Trump allegedly asked about rigged fights and inside information before UFC Freedom 250 at the White House. The retired fighter told reporters his account was compromised and dismissed the viral images as fabricated. The now-deleted post sparked immediate controversy across social media platforms Sunday evening, with thousands sharing what seemed to be a potential betting scandal involving a member of the first family.
The screenshots depicted a conversation where Eric Trump reportedly reached out to Cormier asking who he predicted would win certain matchups, whether any fighters were dealing with injuries, and bluntly questioned if any bouts were fixed. One message attributed to Trump read: “I’ll just cut to the chase…are any of the fights tomorrow rigged? I’ve been eyeing the Lopes fight and I think an upset wouldn’t be too unrealistic. $$.” The exchange allegedly concluded with Cormier responding that no UFC fights are rigged and expressing shock at the question.
Fighter categorically rejects screenshots as real communication
When pressed about the viral images, Cormier offered a straightforward denial. “They’re not real,” the former two-division champion stated. He expressed disbelief that people accepted the screenshots as legitimate evidence of actual communication. “I can’t believe you guys believed that. Like, who believes that?” Cormier said, suggesting the entire incident should have been immediately recognized as fraudulent. The fighter maintained this position consistently when questioned by multiple reporters seeking clarification about what happened.
Cormier specifically addressed claims that he personally posted the alleged conversation to his social media accounts. When asked directly if he was denying responsibility for publishing the screenshots, he confirmed he was hacked. “I got hacked or something,” he explained, distancing himself entirely from the post’s origin. The former champion also challenged journalists who reported he had shared the images himself. “Yeah, absolutely,” he confirmed when asked if reporters claiming he posted the screenshots were incorrect in their assessment.
Both parties moved quickly to discredit viral images
Eric Trump responded to the controversy Sunday evening as UFC Freedom 250’s main event approached, posting on X that the screenshots were “completely fake.” In a follow-up message, the president’s son described them as “fake, AI-generated screenshots” and stated he has never even spoken to Daniel Cormier. The dual denials from both individuals named in the alleged exchange arrived within hours of the images gaining widespread attention online, with both men using their social media platforms to push back against the narrative.
- Screenshots showed Trump allegedly asking about rigged fights and fighter injuries
- Cormier claims his account was compromised by hackers
- Eric Trump denies ever communicating with the former UFC champion
- Both parties called the images fake within hours of them going viral
- The incident occurred ahead of UFC Freedom 250 at the White House
Alleged messages raised questions about betting integrity
The fabricated conversation gained traction partly because it appeared to show someone with White House connections attempting to leverage insider information for gambling purposes. The messages depicted Trump specifically mentioning money symbols and discussing potential upsets in particular matchups, suggesting financial interest in the outcomes. Such behavior, if real, would have raised serious ethical concerns about access to non-public information and its use for personal betting advantage. The timing ahead of a historic UFC event at the White House only amplified the scrutiny.
The controversy emerged at a sensitive moment for mixed martial arts betting oversight. UFC president Dana White previously confirmed the organization had discussions with the FBI regarding unusual betting activity on a match involving fighter Isaac Dulgarian. White also addressed concerns about the White House event becoming politicized, stating it was “not at all” about politics despite the prominent venue. The promotion has consistently maintained that fight integrity remains paramount and that any suspicious wagering patterns receive immediate investigation.
Platform used to spread false information remains unclear
Questions persist about how the fake screenshots gained such rapid circulation before being removed. The images bore hallmarks of legitimate direct message interfaces, complete with profile pictures and timestamp formatting that initially fooled casual observers. Technology experts have noted that AI tools and basic photo editing software now make creating convincing fake conversations relatively simple, requiring minimal technical expertise. The speed with which misinformation can spread on social media platforms continues to challenge both public figures and everyday users trying to discern authentic content from fabrications.
Cormier’s assertion that his account was compromised raises additional security concerns for high-profile athletes and public figures. Whether the fake screenshots were created by someone who gained unauthorized access to his accounts or simply fabricated externally and falsely attributed to him remains unconfirmed. The retired fighter’s prompt response and categorical denial appear aimed at preventing the false narrative from taking root, particularly given his reputation within the MMA community and his current role as a prominent commentator and analyst for major UFC broadcasts.
